CSLA BLOG: Celebrating Children's Book Illustrators

I was delighted to discover that the CSLA Blog this month is featuring the image from my book A Panda's World that I donated for use on products in the Library Advocacy Store. Many thanks to the California School Library Foundation and to Dr. Lesley Farmer, Professor of Library Media at California State University Long Beach, for her lovely description of my work. I am just one of many children's book authors and illustrators who have participated in this project.

I encourage you to visit the Library Advocacy Store and treat yourself to a cup, bag, pillow and more, or buy gifts for your friends and family. Every purchase supports California libraries!

YOSEMITE: CSLA Conference 2018--Elevating Learning Through Reflection

Yosemite Valley

I had a great weekend at the California School Library Association conference at Tenaya Lodge just outside Yosemite National Park, presenting with Jeri Ferris and Kathy Krull and hiking and sightseeing in Yosemite Valley with Gretchen Woelfle.

The theme of the conference was Elevating Learning through Reflection. It was great to spend time with school librarians and other authors. Virginia Loh Hagan did a great job keeping all the authors organized and well fed! There were twenty-eight of us!

Lobby of Tenaya Lodge

The author events were all on Saturday and included presentations, panels, autographing, a mix and mingle with librarians, culminating with the Young Reader Medal dinner followed by more autographing.

At book signing after my presentation

With librarian and Jeri Ferris

The California Young Reader Medal was awarded this year to author Mac Barnett and illustrator Jon Klassen for their book Sam and Dave Dig a Hole. Mac Barnett was the featured speaker at the dinner. Jon Klassen couldn’t make the dinner and had sent a video but, unfortunately, technical difficulties prevented it from being heard. Mac compensated by giving a very entertaining and inspiring speech for the both of them. Tables were decorated with charming centerpieces made by students at a nearby school.

Centerpiece: Sam and Dave Dig a Hole

I went to the conference with fellow author Gretchen Woelfle. We went a day early so we could do some sightseeing. We hiked to the Vernal Falls bridge--more uphill than I planned but we both made it. The weather was perfect and the park wasn't crowded. It was truly inspiring and a wonderful addition to the conference.

With Gretchen Woelfle at the tunnel view of Yosemite Valley

CSLA Conference, 2016, San Diego, CA: Doorways to Diversity

Last weekend I participated in the CSLA Conference, in San Diego, celebrating the 100 year history of the California School Library Association at the beautiful Bahia Resort Hotel.

View of the bay from the Bahia Resort Hotel

Saturday was the day focused on authors and there were thirty-eight of us, with all author events coordinated by Dr. Virginia Loh-Hagen who made sure that we were treated like superstars all day long, including a delicious lunch and pre-dinner reception in her suite overlooking the bay, and arranging for hosts to make sure we were in the right place at the right time. Although the 7:30 starting time for my presentation turned out to be a tad early for most people, I enjoyed meeting lots of librarians at the author Speed Dating event (a little like human bingo) later in the morning, and at the California Young Reader Medal dinner in the evening, where we heard excellent speeches from CYRM winners Audrey Vernick and Jennifer A. Nielsen. Altogether it was a good day celebrating the love of books and reading!

With author Alexis O'Neill at the signing table after the CYRM dinner

Read, Know, Grow: Support School Libraries

Some time ago, I donated a piece of my art from my book A Panda's World to help support school libraries. It has now been incorporated into the California Campaign for Strong School Libraries. Visit the Campaign’s Library Store and see how you can buy a t-shirt, mug and other items with great art (mine or someone else's) AND support school libraries! (I've already ordered a bunch of t-shirts and mugs!) Great for gifts or for yourself!

The Campaign is a public awareness program aimed at publicizing today’s role of school libraries and shining a spotlight on the new Model School Library Standards approved by the State Board of Education last fall. The standards include: 1) Standards for Students that delineate what students should know and be able to do at each grade level or grade span to enable students to succeed in school, higher education and the workforce, and; 2) base level staffing, resources and infrastructure, including technology, required for effective school library programs for students.

Patrick Nelson, CEO of California-based bookseller Mrs. Nelson’s Toy & Book Shop, used his vast network of contacts with authors and illustrators to facilitate the arrangement with the California School Library Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that oversees the Campaign. Last year, Nelson was recognized by the California School Library Association for his role in creating and developing a statewide school library advocacy campaign. For more information about the Campaign or the Campaign’s LIBRARY STORE, contact Connie Williams at info@csla.net.